21st Jan 2005 07:00
ASOS PLC21 January 2005 FOR RELEASE7.00 AM21 JANUARY 2005 ASOS plc ("ASOS" or "Group") (Leading online fashion retailer) CHRISTMAS TRADING STATEMENT * 70% increase in like-for-like sales for ASOS.com over the Christmas trading period from 1 November 2004 - 31 December 2004 * 71% increase to £8.9m in like-for-like sales for ASOS.com for the nine months to 31 December 2004 * 69% increase in Group sales to £9.4m for the nine months to 31 December 2004 * £1.7m Group cash at bank at 31 December 2004 * Very confident about the continued growth of ASOS ASOS.com, the Internet based fashion retailer announces a 70% increase inlike-for-like sales for the Christmas trading period and predicts a strongfinish to the year. Nick Robertson, the Chief Executive, commenting on Christmas trading, said: "I am pleased with the performance, given the comparables were slightly tougherthis year. We worked hard on expanding the buying team and the range and wererewarded with second place in the December Hitwise chart for Apparel andAccessories. We attracted 972,000 unique customers in December 2004, up from471,000 in December 2003, an increase of 106%. Encouragingly, two of our newer departments made significant contributions tosales namely Jewellery and Beauty at 8% and 6% respectively. We put on an additional 41,000 registered users over the December period takingour total registered user base to 459,755 as at 18 January 2005. With Christmas representing around 40% of Group profits, I am pleased to reportthat we estimate our profit before interest, tax and depreciation is likely tobe in line with market expectations. We will also have the benefit of theinterest on the cash balances which stood at £1.7 million at 31 December 2004. Prospects We expect a strong finish to the year. January is currently tracking at over100% year on year following our most successful sale to date. Operational efficiencies will also return as stock levels reduce and we go backto operating out of one warehouse. I remain very confident about the continued growth of ASOS. The investment inthe buying team is already reaping rewards and a move to a new warehouse beforeJune 2005 will enable us to enjoy further operational efficiencies." For further information: ASOS plcNick Robertson, Chief Executive Tel: 020 7240 7070Jon Kamaluddin, Finance Director Tel: 020 7240 7070www.asos.com Beattie FinancialGrace Marriner / Jo Clewlow Tel: 020 7398 3300John Moriarty Mob: 07971 402 224 Seymour PierceMark Percy / Ewan Leggat Tel: 020 7107 8000 Note to Editors: ASOS plc is an Internet Retail and Marketing Services Group, established in June2000 and admitted to AIM in October 2001. Its principal business is ASOS.com, a leading online fashion and beautyretailer. A top five company in the UK Apparel and Accessories category(Source: Hitwise), ASOS.com has over 459,755 registered users at 18 January2005. It offers around 1,600 lines across womenswear, lingerie, menswear,jewellery, accessories, footwear, beauty and gifting. Its primary customers areInternet savvy 18-34 year olds. UK Geographical Customer Distribution Approximately 36% of the customers are in London and the South East, 14% in theMidlands, 13% in Yorkshire and the North East, just under 13% in the North West,7% in the South West, 9% in Scotland and 5% in Wales. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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